HOUSE BILL 839

47th legislature - STATE OF NEW MEXICO - second session, 2006

INTRODUCED BY

Peter Wirth

AN ACT

MAKING AN APPROPRIATION FOR A FEASIBILITY STUDY ON THE CREATION OF A PUBLICLY FUNDED STATEWIDE RESIDENTIAL HIGH SCHOOL FOR THE ARTS.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF NEW MEXICO:

     Section 1. APPROPRIATION.--

          A. Five hundred thousand dollars ($500,000) is appropriated from the general fund to the office of the governor for expenditure in fiscal years 2006 and 2007 to provide for a feasibility study on the creation of a publicly funded statewide residential high school for the arts. The office of the governor shall direct the study through the public education and cultural affairs departments. The office may contract for part or all of the study, including contracting with a state university college of education or art department. In conducting the study, the public education and cultural affairs departments shall seek the advice of interested persons.

          B. The departments shall study the need and feasibility of establishing a school for the arts and, if the study determines that such a school is necessary and feasible, the study shall include one or more conceptual design options and shall consider:

                (1) how the school should be structured and governed;

                (2) how the school should relate to the public school system, including the public education department, school districts and federal and state law;

                (3) costs of and funding for the school; and

                (4) any other matters the office of the governor or the public education and cultural affairs departments deem necessary.

          C. The results of the study, including recommendations, shall be reported to the legislative education study committee and the legislative finance committee by October 15, 2006. Two copies of the report shall be filed with the legislative council service library.

          D. Any unexpended or unencumbered balance remaining at the end of fiscal year 2007 shall revert to the general fund.